Table with folding seats

ABSTRACT

A picnic table may include a center table section and one or more seating members that are attached to the table section by a frame. The seat members may include a seat portion and a back portion. Advantageously, the back portion may be moved between a generally upright position in which the back portion may provide a backrest to a person sitting in the seating member and a collapsed position in which the back portion is disposed proximate to the seat portion. When in the backrest is in the collapsed position, the back portion may create a booster seat for child.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/509,843, filed Oct. 8, 2003, entitledTABLE WITH FOLDING BENCH SEATS, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to furniture and, in particular,to tables.

2. Description of Related Art

Picnic tables have been used for many years and conventional picnictables typically include a center table section with benches disposed onboth sides of the center table section. The center table sectiontypically has a rectangular configuration and the benches are normallyplaced along the elongated sides of the center table section.Conventional picnic tables are often sized and configured to allow four,six or eight persons to sit at the table at one time. Conventionalpicnic tables are also often used in outdoor locations such as backyardsand parks, and picnic tables are frequently used as part of a socialgathering that includes food and drinks.

It is known to use various types of materials to construct a picnictable. For example, the table top, bench tops and support legs may beconstructed from materials such as wood. Wooden picnic tables, however,often quickly deteriorate because picnic tables are often exposed toelements such as sun, rain and snow. Accordingly, wooden picnic tablesmust be frequently painted or stained in order to protect the wood fromdamage. Wooden picnic tables may also need to be repaired and/orreplaced if the wood begins to rot or decay. In particular, the woodenlegs may begin to rot over a relatively small period of time because thelegs are frequently in contact with the ground. It is also known to usemetal legs to support a picnic table constructed with a wooden table topand wooden bench tops. The metal legs must be relatively large andstrong to support the heavy wooden table top and bench tops. Inaddition, the metal legs typically require large screws and/or bolts toattach the legs to the wooden table top and wooden bench tops. Becausethese screws and/or bolts usually extend completely through the woodentable top and bench tops, the screws and/or bolts may form stressconcentrations or other weaknesses that may allow a portion of the tabletop and/or bench tops to crack, split or fail.

Disadvantageously, conventional picnic tables constructed from wood areoften very heavy and require a large, bulky, heavy-duty frame to supportthe table top and benches. These heavy, wooden picnic tables are oftenvery difficult to transport and move. In addition, known picnic tableswith metal legs often require a large and complex frame to support thetable top and benches. In particular, many known picnic tables requirethe metal legs to be constructed from large diameter tubing and/or largewall thickness tubing to provide the necessary strength for the legs.Legs constructed from large diameter tubing and/or large wall thicknesstubing, however, may undesirably increase the weight of the picnictable. The metal legs also often require one or more brackets or supportstruts to properly support the table top and bench tops. These bracketsand support struts are often placed underneath the table top, which maydecrease the amount of space and legroom under the table top.Additionally, the brackets and support struts may undesirably increasethe weight and complexity of the picnic table.

Conventional picnic tables may also have a frame that allows the picnictable to be folded into a collapsed position, which may allow the picnictable to be more easily shipped and stored because it requires lessspace in the collapsed position. In order to allow the picnic table tobe collapsed, the frame is typically pivotally attached to the table topand the benches. The frame may include a number of movable parts andsupports to allow the picnic table to be moved between a use portion andthe collapsed position. Disadvantageously, the collapsible frame mayincrease the weight and complexity of the picnic table. The collapsibleframe may also include a number of brackets and support struts that takeup valuable legroom under the table top and/or benches. In addition, theframe of many collapsible picnic tables may require additional time tomanufacture and assemble because of the numerous parts that have to beinterconnected, and the complex frame may prevent or discourageconsumers from assembling the picnic table. Thus, these types of picnictables are generally shipped in an assembled configuration and that mayundesirably increase shipping and transportation costs.

As discussed above, many known picnic tables include a number of supportstruts or braces to securely connect the frame to the table top and thebenches. These support struts and braces, however, often interfere witha desired sitting position for an individual seated at the picnic table,and the struts and braces may decrease the leg room under the table.Additionally, the supports and braces may contact an individual's kneesor legs, and that decreases the comfort and usefulness of the picnictable. The struts and braces may also limit the number of people thatcan sit at the picnic table. In particular, because many struts andbraces are positioned at various angles relative to the table top andbenches, the legroom under the table top is decreased and the risk thata person will strike their knees on the struts or braces is increased.The struts and braces may also prevent some people from sitting at thepicnic table or limit the positions in which people can sit at thetable.

Conventional picnic tables typically include benches that are secured ina fixed position and the benches cannot be moved. That is, the benchesremain in a predetermined position relative to the center table sectionof the picnic table. Disadvantageously, this may prevent some peoplefrom using the picnic table. For example, because the benches aretypically positioned to accommodate adults, the benches may bepositioned too far away from the center table section to allow childrento sit at the picnic table. In addition, the benches may be too low forchildren to see and/or reach items on the table. While it is known tocreate picnic tables that are sized and configured for children, thesepicnic tables are then unable to be used by most adults.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for a table that eliminates the above-described and/orother disadvantages and problems.

One aspect is a picnic table that may include a frame that supports boththe center table section of the picnic table and the accompanyingbenches. Advantageously, the frame may only contact the ground inseveral desired locations. Significantly, this may provide increased legroom and other space under the center portion of the picnic table and/orthe benches. Additionally, the frame may be connected to the centersection of the picnic table and benches without the use of braces orsupport struts. This may maximize the space and legroom under the tabletop and/or benches. It will be appreciated, however, that the frame maycontact the ground in any number of desired locations. It will also beappreciated that one or more braces, brackets, support struts and thelike may also be used to connect the frame to the center table portionand/or benches.

Another aspect is a picnic table that may include a frame that isrelatively sturdy and strong. For example, the frame may be sized andconfigured to allow the picnic table to support two, four, six, eight oreven more persons. The frame is preferably constructed from thin-walledmetal tubing. The thin-walled metal tubing may allow a strong andlightweight picnic table to be constructed. In addition, the thin-walledmetal tubing desirably has a relatively small diameter which may, forexample, reduce the weight of the picnic table. Significantly, therelatively small diameter, thin-walled metal tubing may occupy a verysmall amount of space under the table top and/or benches, which maymaximize the legroom under the table top and/or benches. It will beappreciated that the frame could be constructed from other materialswith suitable shapes, sizes and characteristics. It will also beappreciated that the frame could have other appropriate sizes andconfigurations depending, for example, upon the size and intended use ofthe picnic table.

A further aspect is a picnic table that may include a table top and/orbenches that are constructed from plastic. In particular, the table topand benches are preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic.Advantageously, the blow-molded plastic table top and benches, alongwith a frame constructed from relatively small diameter, thin-walledmetal tubing, may allow a lightweight picnic table to be created.Significantly, the lightweight picnic table may reduce shipping costs.In particular, the lightweight picnic table may be shipped to a retaileror consumer at less cost than a conventional picnic table because of itslightweight. Additionally, the picnic table may be more easily assembledand disassembled because of the lightweight table top and/or benches.Further, the lightweight picnic table may be easier to transport andmove because of its reduced weight, which may allow a consumer to easilymove the picnic table from one location to another location.

In addition, if the table top and benches are constructed fromblow-molded plastic, then the table top and benches may be strong,sturdy and high-strength. The blow-molded plastic table top and benchesmay also be weather resistant, generally temperature insensitive andquickly formed in the desired shape and configuration. Desirably, theblow-molded plastic table top and benches include two opposing surfacesthat are separated by a generally constant distance. The upper surfacesmay be generally planar and the lower surfaces may include a pluralityof depressions that are sized and configured to increase the strength ofthe table top and seat. The table top and/or benches may also includeother features, which may be integrally formed in the table top and/orbenches as part of a unitary structure, that facilitate attachment ofthe table top and/or benches to the frame.

A further aspect is a picnic table that may include one or more benchesor seats. Advantageously, the benches or seats may include a seat backor backrest. Thus, the seats may have a bottom portion and a backrest,and the backrest is preferably pivotally connected to the bottom portionof the seat. Desirably, the backrest is movable between a seatingposition in which the backrest has a generally upright configuration anda folded position in which the backrest is positioned generally parallelto the bottom portion. Significantly, the foldable backrest may allowthe picnic table to be more easily stored, transported and/or shipped.The foldable backrest may also be used to create a booster seat for achild. This may significantly increase the number of uses of the picnictable because both adults and children may be able to use the picnictable. In addition, the backrests may be independently connected to thebenches or seats so that adults and children may simultaneously use thepicnic table. Of course, two or more backrests may be interconnected toallow multiple backrests to be moved between the seating position andthe folded position.

Still another aspect is a picnic table that may include a relativelystraightforward design, which may allow the picnic table to be quicklyand easily assembled by the manufacturer and/or the consumer. Desirably,the picnic table can be assembled and disassembled using commonlyavailable tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches, which may allow themanufacturer and/or consumer to easily assemble the picnic table. Inaddition, the picnic table may be quickly and easily disassembly, whichmay allow the picnic table to be more easily shipped, stored ortransported.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments tofurther clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features ofthe present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depictonly preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended tolimits its scope. The invention will be described and explained withadditional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a picnictable, illustrating some of the backrests in an upright position andsome of the backrests in a collapsed position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the picnic tableshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is yet another perspective view of a picnic table shown in FIG.1; and

FIG. 4 is still another perspective view of a portion of the picnictable shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed towards picnic tables thatinclude benches or seats with backrests. The principles of the presentinvention, however, are not limited to picnic tables with benches orseats with backrests. It will be understood that, in light of thepresent disclosure, the picnic table with benches or seats withbackrests disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection withother types of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Additionally, to assist in the description of the picnic table, wordssuch as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left may be used to describethe accompanying figures. It will be appreciated, however, that thepicnic table can be located in a variety of desired positions. Adetailed description of the picnic table now follows with reference tothe accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

As shown in FIG. 1, the picnic table 10 preferably includes a centertable section 12 and one or more seats 14. For example, as shown in theaccompanying figures, the picnic table 10 includes four seats 14 a, 14b, 14 c, 14 d, but the picnic table could include any suitable number ofseats depending, for example, upon the intended use of the picnic table.

Each of the seats 14 preferably includes a bottom portion 16 and a backportion 18. In particular, as shown in the figures, each seat 14 a, 14b, 14 c, 14 d preferably includes a bottom portion 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, 16d and a back portion 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, respectively. It will beappreciated that not all of the seats 14 require the bottom and backportions 16, 18. Thus, for example, some of the seat 14 could include aback portion 18 while some of the seats do not include a back portion.

The back portions 18 may be sized and configured to create a backrestfor a person sitting in the seat 14. In particular, the back portions 18preferably include a curved or contoured inner surface 20 to increasethe comfort of the person sitting in the seat 14. The back portions 18may also be movable relative to the bottom portions 16 between a firstportion in which the back portions can be used as a backrest for aperson sitting in the seat 14 and a second portion in which the backportion is positioned adjacent or proximate to the bottom portion. Inparticular, the back portions 18 are preferably pivotally or otherwisemovably connected to the bottom portions 16 of the seats 14 to allow theback portions to be moved between the first and second positions. Theback portions 18, for example, may be pivotally connected to the bottomportions 16 of the seats 14 by one or more hinges, pivot pins,connecting rods, or other suitable structures.

In greater detail, as shown in FIG. 1, the back portions 18 may bemovable between the first position in which the back portions have agenerally upright position (such as the back portions 18 a, 18 b shownin FIG. 1) and the second position in which the back portions are in agenerally horizontal position (such as the back portions 18 c, 18 dshown in FIG. 1). When the back portions 18 are in the first, generallyupright position, the back portions may provide a backrest for a personsitting at the picnic table 10. Desirably, the bottom portions 16 andthe back portions 18 are sized and configured to allow an adult tocomfortably sit at the table when the back portion is in the first,backrest position.

When the back portions 18 are in the second, generally horizontalposition, the back portion is preferably sized and configured to supporta smaller person such as a child. In particular, when the back portions18 are in the second, generally horizontal position, the upper surface22 of the back portion preferably includes a curved or contoured surfaceto allow the child to comfortably sit at the table. In addition, becausethe back portion 18 preferably lifts or raises the child relative to thetable 12, that may allow the child to see and reach objects on thetable. Further, the back portion 18 is preferably connected to thebottom portion 16 so that as the back portion is moved from the firstposition to the second position, the back portion is disposed closer tothe table 12. In particular, the front edge of the back portion 18 ispreferably disposed closer to the table 12 than the front edge of thebottom portion 16 when the back portion is in the second, generallyhorizontal position. This may allow the child to be properly positionedrelative to the table 12 because the child sits closer to the table.Thus, the back portion 18 may be sized and configured to position thechild at the proper height and distance from the table 12. In addition,the back portion 18 may be sized and configured to be used in connectionwith booster seats, child safety seats, and the like, to facilitatechildren sitting at the picnic table. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the seats 14, bottom portions 16 and/or backportions 18 may have other suitable shapes, sizes and configurations.For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theback portions 18 do not have to be pivotally connected to the bottomportions 16 and the bottom and back portions could be part of a unitary,one-piece structure.

The picnic table 10 may include a frame 24 that is connected to thetable 12 and seats 14. The frame 24 is preferably relatively strong andsturdy to create a well-built and solid picnic table 10. The frame 24,as shown in the accompanying figures, may be sized and configured tosupport the table 12 and four sets of seats 14. In particular, the frame24 may support four sets of seats 14 in which each set of seats includestwo seats that are positioned adjacent to each other. The seats 14 mayinclude bottom and back portions 16, 18, as desired, and the sets ofseats may be spaced apart from the adjacent sets of seats. Therefore, asseen in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the picnic table 10 includesfour sets of seats and each set of seats includes two seats. Two seatsof seats 14 are disposed along each elongated side of the table 12 andthe sets of seats are preferably separated by a distance to allow, forexample, easier access to the inner seats. It will be appreciated,however, that the picnic table 10 could include any number of seats 14and the seats could be arranged in any suitable arrangement orconfiguration. For example, any desired number of seats 14 may begrouped together and/or the seats may be independent from the otherseats. Further, while the frame 24 preferably attaches the seats 14 tothe table 12, the seats could be selectively or independently movablerelative to the table. Finally, the picnic table 10 could include anysuitable number of seats 14 to allow any desired number of people to sitat the picnic table.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the frame preferably includes may include one ormore generally L-shaped support members 26 and one or more generallyC-shaped support members 28. In particular, the generally L-shapedsupport members 26 are preferably sized and configured to support thetable 12 and the generally C-shaped support members are preferably sizedand configured to support the seats 14. For example, as shown in theaccompanying figures, the picnic table 10 may include four generallyL-shaped support members 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 that are connected to thetable 12 and four generally C-shaped support members 28 a, 28 b, 28 c,28 d. The generally L-shaped table support members 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26d and the generally C-shaped bench support members 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, 28d are preferably constructed from thin-walled metal tubing, which mayallow a strong and lightweight picnic table 10 to be constructed. Thethin-walled metal tubing desirably has a small diameter to reduce theweight of the picnic table. It will be appreciated that the frame couldbe constructed from any materials with suitable characteristics and theframe could have any appropriate size, shape, and configurationdepending, for example, upon the size and intended use of the picnictable.

The generally L-shaped table support members 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d arepreferably connected to the generally C-shaped bench support members 28a, 28 b, 28 c, 28 d to create a frame 24 that preferably provides amplelegroom for people sitting at the picnic table 10. In particular, thegenerally L-shaped support members 26 and the generally C-shaped supportmembers 28 are preferably arranged to create a significant amount oflegroom and minimize interference with a person moving their legsunderneath the table 12 and/or sets 14. Additionally, because the tablesupport members and the bench support members may be constructed fromsmall diameter, thin-walled metal tubing, the frame 24 may require arelatively small amount of space and that may further increase thelegroom under the picnic table 10.

In greater detail, as seen in FIGS. 1-4, the generally L-shaped tablesupport members 26 may include a generally upright, upper portion and agenerally horizontal lower portion, which may be positioned to provideadditional leg room. For example, the upper portions of the generallyL-shaped table support members 26 may be connected proximate a centeraxis of the table top 12 and the table support members may be generallydisposed between the seats 14 to minimize interference with a person'slegs. In addition, the lower portions of the generally L-shaped tablesupport members 26 may be connected to the generally C-shaped benchsupport members 28. Preferably, the lower portions of the generallyL-shaped table support members 26 are connected proximate the centers ofthe generally C-shaped bench support members 28 and the generallyL-shaped table support members are generally disposed between the seats,which may also provide more leg room. More specifically, the generallyC-shaped bench support members 28 are preferably generally verticallyaligned and the C-shaped bench support members may be located beneaththe seats 14. The generally L-shaped table support members 26 arepreferably connected to the generally C-shaped bench support members 28beneath the seats 14 so that the support members are not in the way ofthe user's legs or feet. Advantageously, because the generally L-shapedtable support members 26 are generally disposed between the seats 14 andthe generally C-shaped bench support members 28 are disposed beneath theseats 14, that may create a picnic table 10 with significant legroom anda frame 24 that is unlikely to be bumped or contacted by a user's legsor feet. It will be appreciated, however, that the frame 24, tablesupport members 26 and/or bench support members 28 may have othersuitable shapes, sizes and arrangements.

The table top 12 and seats 14, including the bottom portions 16 and backportions 18, are preferably constructed from a lightweight, durable andweather resistant material such as plastic. In particular, the table top12 and seats 14 are preferably constructed from high densitypolyethylene, but other suitable types of plastics and other materialsmay be used if desired. The table top 12 and seats 14 are preferablymanufactured using blow molded plastic, but other suitable processescould be used such as rotary molding, injection molding, compressionmolding, and the like. It will be understood that any suitable materialsand processes could be used to construct the picnic table 10.

Advantageously, if the table top 12 and the seats 14 are constructedfrom blow-molded plastic, the table top and seats may have a generallyhollow interior, which may allow a lightweight picnic table 10 to beconstructed. This may allow, for example, shipping costs to be reducedbecause a lightweight picnic table may be shipped to a retailer orconsumer at less cost than a conventional picnic table. In addition, thepicnic table 10 may be more easily assembled and disassembled because ofits lightweight. Further, the lightweight picnic table 10 is easy totransport and move because of its reduced weight. This may allow theconsumer to easily move the picnic table 10 from one location to anotherlocation.

The blow-molded plastic table top 12 and seats 14 preferably include twoopposing surfaces that are separated by a generally constant distance.For example, the table top 12 preferably includes a generally planarupper surface spaced apart from a lower surface by a generally constantdistance. Similarly, the seats 14 may include two opposing surfaces thatare separated by a generally constant distance, but that distance may bevaried, for example, if a portion of the seat is curved or contoured.

The table top 12 and seats 14 may also include one or more depressionsthat are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength of thecomponents. The depressions are preferably formed on a surface of thecomponent and extend toward an opposing surface of the component. Thedepressions may contact or engage the opposing surface, but could bespaced apart from the opposing surface. For example, the table top 12may include a plurality of depressions that are formed in the lowerportion of the table top and extend or contact the upper portion of thetable top. Similarly, the seats 14 may include one or more depressionsthat are sized and configured to increase the strength of the seats.These depressions may cover all or only a portion of the table top 12and/or seats 14, as desired. Additional details regarding the size,shape, and configuration of depressions that may be suitable for use inconnection with the picnic table 10 are disclosed in Assignee'sco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/409,000, entitledHIGH-STRENGTH, LIGHTWEIGHT BLOW-MOLDED PLASTIC STRUCTURES, filed on Apr.8, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Ofcourse, the depressions may have other suitable sizes, shapes and/orconfigurations, and the picnic table 10 does not require anydepressions.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that although the exemplaryembodiments discussed above have been described with respect to picnictables, these aspects and features may also be used in connection withother types of furniture such as chairs, stools, footstools, other typesof tables, or any other suitable type of devices or fixtures.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claimswhich follow.

1. A picnic table comprising: a table top constructed from blow moldedplastic and including a hollow interior portion formed during the blowmolding process; a frame connected to the table top, the frame beingsized and configured to support the table top above a surface; a firstseating member connected to the frame, the first seating member beingconstructed from blow molded plastic and including a hollow interiorportion formed during the blow molding process, the first seating membercomprising: a lower portion; and a back portion that is movable relativeto the lower portion between a first position in which the back portionis in a generally vertical position and a second position in which theback portion is in a generally horizontal position; and a second seatingmember connected to frame, the second seating member being constructedfrom blow molded plastic and including a hollow interior portion formedduring the blow molding process, the second seating member comprising: alower portion; and a back portion that is movable relative to the lowerportion between a first position in which the back portion is in agenerally vertical position and a second position in which the backportion is in a generally horizontal position.
 2. The picnic table as inclaim 1, further comprising a contoured first surface on the backportion of the first seating member that is sized and configured to beused as a backrest when the back portion is in the generally verticalposition and a contoured second surface on the back portion of the firstseating member that is sized and configured to be used as a children'sbooster seating member when the back portion is in the generallyhorizontal position; and further comprising a contoured first surface onthe back portion of the second seating member that is sized andconfigured to be used as a backrest when the back portion is in thegenerally vertical position and a contoured second surface on the backportion of the second seating member that is sized and configured to beused as a children's booster seat when the back portion is in thegenerally horizontal position.
 3. The picnic table as in claim 1,further comprising: a third seating member connected to the frame, thethird seating member being constructed from blow molded plastic andincluding a hollow interior portion formed during the blow moldingprocess, the third seating member comprising: a lower portion; and aback portion that is movable relative to the lower portion between afirst position in which the back portion is in a generally verticalposition and a second position in which the back portion is in agenerally horizontal position; and a fourth seating member connected toframe, the fourth seating member being constructed from blow moldedplastic and including a hollow interior portion formed during the blowmolding process, the fourth seating member comprising: a lower portion;and a back portion that is movable relative to the lower portion betweena first position in which the back portion is in a generally verticalposition and a second position in which the back portion is in agenerally horizontal position.
 4. The picnic table as in claim 1,wherein the first seating member allows two persons to sit at the picnictable.
 5. The picnic table as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofthe back portion of the first seating member extends beyond a front edgeof the lower portion of the first seating member when the back portionis in the second position; and wherein at least a portion of the backportion of the second seating member extends beyond a front edge of thelower portion of the second seating member when the back portion is inthe second position.
 6. The picnic table as in claim 1, wherein the backportion of the first seating member creates a higher seating positionthat is closer to the table top in the second position than in the firstposition.
 7. The picnic table as in claim 1, wherein the frame includesa first generally L-shaped member that is connected to the table top anda first generally C-shaped member that is connected to the first seatingmember; and wherein the frame includes a second generally L-shapedmember that is connected to the table top and a second generallyC-shaped member that is connected to the second seating member.
 8. Thepicnic table as in claim 7, wherein the first generally L-shaped memberis connected to the first generally C-shaped member beneath the firstseating member; and wherein the second generally L-shaped member isconnected to the second generally C-shaped member beneath the secondseating member.
 9. The picnic table as in claim 1, wherein the frameincludes a first generally L-shaped member that is generally disposedbetween a first sitting position and a second sitting position on thefirst seating member; and wherein the frame includes a second generallyL-shaped member that is generally disposed between a first sittingposition and a second sitting position on the second seating member. 10.A picnic table comprising: a table top; a frame connected to the tabletop; and a seating member connected to the frame, the seating memberincluding a bottom portion and a back portion that is movable relativeto the bottom portion between a first position and a second position,the back portion including a first surface that is sized and configuredto form a backrest when the back portion is in the first position and asecond surface that is sized and configured to create a booster seatwhen the back portion is in the second position.
 11. The picnic table asin claim 10, wherein the first surface of the back portion includes agenerally concave backrest depression and the second surface of the backportion includes a generally concave seating portion.
 12. The picnictable as in claim 10, wherein the first surface of the back portionincludes a plurality of generally concave backrest depressions and thesecond surface of the back portion includes a plurality of generallyconcave seating portions.
 13. The picnic table as in claim 9, whereinthe table top is constructed from blow molded plastic having a unitary,one-piece construction and a hollow interior portion formed during theblow molding process; and wherein the seating member is constructed fromblow molded plastic having a unitary, one-piece construction and ahollow interior portion formed during the blow molding process.
 14. Apicnic table comprising: a table top; a first seating member that issized and configured to allow at least two people to sit at the picnictable, the first seating member including a lower portion and a backportion that is movable relative to the lower portion between a firstposition in which the back portion is in a generally vertical positionand a second position in which the back portion is in a generallyhorizontal position; a second seating member that is sized andconfigured to allow at least two people to sit at the picnic table, thesecond seating member including a lower portion and a back portion thatis movable relative to the lower portion between a first position inwhich the back portion is in a generally vertical position and a secondposition in which the back portion is in a generally horizontalposition; and a frame comprising: a first generally L-shaped supportmember including a first end and a second end, the first end beingconnected to the table top; a first generally C-shaped support memberconnected to the first seating member and being disposed at leastsubstantially beneath the first seating member, the first generallyL-shaped support member being connected proximate a center portion ofthe first generally C-shaped support member; a second generally L-shapedsupport member including a first end and a second end, the first endbeing connected to the table top; and a second generally C-shapedsupport member connected to the second seating member and being disposedat least substantially beneath the second seating member, the secondgenerally L-shaped support member being connected proximate a centerportion of the second generally C-shaped support member.
 15. The picnictable as in claim 14, further comprising a contoured first surface onthe back portion of the first seating member that is sized andconfigured to be used as a backrest when the back portion is in thegenerally vertical position and a contoured second surface on the backportion of the first seating member that is sized and configured to beused as a children's booster seating member when the back portion is inthe generally horizontal position; and further comprising a contouredfirst surface on the back portion of the second seating member that issized and configured to be used as a backrest when the back portion isin the generally vertical position and a contoured second surface on theback portion of the second seating member that is sized and configuredto be used as a children's booster seat when the back portion is in thegenerally horizontal position.
 16. The picnic table as in claim 14,wherein the first seating member is sized and configured to allow twopersons to sit at the picnic table and the second seating member issized and configured to allow two persons to sit at the picnic table.17. The picnic table as in claim 14, wherein at least a portion of theback portion of the first seating member extends beyond a front edge ofthe lower portion of the first seating member when the back portion isin the second position; and wherein at least a portion of the backportion of the second seating member extends beyond a front edge of thelower portion of the second seating member when the back portion is inthe second position.
 18. The picnic table as in claim 14, wherein theback portion of the first seating member creates a higher seatingposition that is closer to the table top in the second position than inthe first position; and wherein the back portion of the second seatingmember creates a higher seating position that is closer to the table topin the second position than in the first position.
 19. The picnic tableas in claim 14, wherein the first generally L-shaped member is connectedto the first generally C-shaped member beneath the first seating member;and wherein the second generally L-shaped member is connected to thesecond generally C-shaped member beneath the second seating member. 20.The picnic table as in claim 14, wherein the first generally L-shapedmember that is generally disposed between a first sitting position and asecond sitting position on the first seating member; and wherein thesecond generally L-shaped member that is generally disposed between afirst sitting position and a second sitting position on the secondseating member.